Ownership
Brian serves as the owner and operator of the Kalamazoo Growlers.
Brian began as an intern for the Northwoods League before becoming an owner of multiple franchises in 2021.
He is known for his viral ideas including Coach Drake, Pre-Game Home Run Derbies, Donut & Beer Festival, Salute to Selfie Night, the Twinkie Dog and more.
Brian played baseball collegiately at Ohio University before pursuing a professional career with the Chillicothe Paints of the Frontier League.
Prior to moving to Kalamazoo & Battle Creek, Brian spent two seasons working for the Ripkin Group with the Augusta Green Jackets and the Aberdeen Ironbirds.
Brian led the group that brought baseball back to Kalamazoo in 2013 and have won the Northwoods League Organization of the Year in 2016, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
He was named the Northwoods League Executive of the Year in 2020 and 2022.
Brian lives in the greater-Kalamazoo area with his wife Liz and two children.
Ticket Sales & Experience
Aaron Guerrero
Vice President of Ticket Sales & Experience
Ferris State University
269-492-7697
In 2017, he moved to Bismarck, North Dakota to start the new Bismarck Larks where he worked for eight seasons.
He was inducted into the Bismarck Larks Hall of Fame in 2024 for his service and dedication to the team.
Aaron moved back to his home state of Michigan to work for the Growlers in 2024 and lead the Ticket Sales & Experience department.
Courtney Sharland
Business Relations Director
Grand Valley State University
269-492-7386
Courtney joined the Kalamazoo Growlers as a Stadium Operations intern in 2023.
In 2024, she joined the full-time front office staff to work with local businesses and corporations bring employees, families and clients to experience the Growlers FUN.
She previously played basketball at Grand Valley State University and made it to the Div. ll Elite Eight in 2022.
Claire Burton
Business Relations Director
Western Michigan University
269-492-7409
Claire joined the Kalamazoo Growlers as a Tickets intern in 2022.
In 2024, she joined the full-time front office staff to work with local businesses and corporations bring employees, families and clients to experience the Growlers FUN.
She previously worked with the Western Michigan University Women’s Basketball Team and the Chicago Bears Seasonal Associates Program in their Community Relations department.
He previously worked for the Bismarck Larks as the Group Sales Manager before moving to Kalamazoo, Michigan.
He played for the Texas Tech University Club Hockey team.
Mathew McDonald
Fan Experience Director
Grand Valley State University
269-492-9966
Mathew joined the Kalamazoo Growlers as a Stadium Operations Intern in the summer of 2024.
After the internship, he joined the full-time front office to work in Inside Sales.
He previously worked at Grand Valley State in Game & Event Operations.
Operations
He was promoted to General Manager in 2023 and oversees the day-to-day team & facility operations and Kalamazoo Concessions.
Tom has a passion for overdelivering on expectations and ensuring that every fan in the stadium has a VIP experience.
Turner Lawrence
Food & Beverage Director
Western Michigan University
269-492-9474
He joined the team’s full-time front office in 2024.
Turner is responsible for concessions at Growlers games, Western Michigan University Athletics and Outlier Events.
He was a member of three-straight West Virginia State Champion hockey teams and was a All-State Right Winger in his junior and senior seasons.
In 2024, he joined the full-time front office and supervises all buffet areas and gameday staff. He also coordinates community and mascot appearances.
Jason also has a passion for coaching kids that participate in Destination Imagination.
He was one of the original on-air personalities at WRKR in 1988.
Partnerships
Kevin Timmer
Vice President of Partnerships
Ferris State University
269-492-7412
He was promoted to Vice President of Partnerships in 2023 and oversees all sponsorships and community partnerships.
Kevin has had a role in growing the Growlers sell-out numbers each season and furthering business relationships in the greater-Kalamazoo area.
Denny Smith
Vice President of Business Operations
Ohio University
269-492-7336
Denny joined the Growlers team in 2021 as the Fan Experience Director.
He then served as the General Manager of the Battle Creek Battle Jacks for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
In 2024, Denny returned to the Growlers in a role to corporate relationships for both teams.
Jaylynn Struth
Partnership Activation Director
Western Michigan University
269-492-7969
She joined the full-time front office in 2024 to work with the team partners and sponsors.
Entertainment & Marketing
Alex “The Firebreather” Kuehl
Entertainment Director
Davenport University
269-492-7410
He previously worked for the Battle Creek Battle Jacks and the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Alex learned his firebreathing act from the techniques of a French-Canadian carny.
Evan Brown
Digital Content Director
Compass College of Film & Media
269-492-9477
Evan joined the Growlers in 2022 as a Content Producer. In Fall 2022, he joined the Battle Creek Battle Jacks as the Media Director.
In 2024, Evan returned to the Growlers in a role to elevate media and videos for both teams.
He adopted his dog, Tesla, at a Growlers’ “Bark at the Park” theme night game in 2022.
Isaac Bugarin
Marketing Director
Metropolitan State University of Denver
269-492-9475
Isaac joined the Growlers in 2024 as the team’s Marketing Director.
He previously worked for the Bismarck Larks from 2020-2024 where he led marketing efforts for tickets, sponsorships and merchandise.
Isaac played an integral role in the launch of the viral rebrand of the Missouri River Motorboaters in 2023.
He manages and oversees all press box operations and baseball-specific content for the Growlers.
He was named the 2024 NWL TV Announcer of the Year.
Outlier Events
Kendall Soto
Business Development Director, Outlier Events
Western Michigan University
kendall@outliereventsgroup.com
269-492-7413
She previously worked for the Kalamazoo Growlers and Western Michigan University Athletics.
Bailley Kluisza
Events Director, Outlier Events
Central Michigan University
bailley@outliereventsgroup.com
269-492-6327
Bailley joined Outlier Events in 2024.
She coordinates venues, vendors and other important aspects of events.
She previously worked for Central Michigan University Recreation and the Traverse City Pit Spitters in 2023.
Supporting Staff
